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Step 9Wig dyeing
Most people will tell you that there's no way to successfully dye a synthetic wig. There is a LOT to this discussion which I will not get into here. I made up this method for this project, but while it won't work for any need to change a wig's color, it was more successful than I expected and had a lot fewer downsides from other methods I've tried.
Because of the design I knew I needed to use two separate wigs and couldn't get the appropriate styles in the same brand. New Look "purple" and Sepia "light purple" are not the same color, especially since punk style wigs use a different type of fiber from straight wigs. I was able to get a faint color shift to get a better match between the two wigs by dyeing it with a custom-mixed Rit dye. I used a stainless steel sink and water that was as hot as I thought was safe for the wig (not too hot to stick your hands in is a good guideline). I rinsed the wig thoroughly and then let it air dry fully before I did the next step. Rit does not do MUCH, but it will very subtly change a wig's color and that can be useful.
Next I used Dye-na-flow silk dye (manufactured by Jacquard; available at Michael's, probably other stores as well). Dye-na-flow isn't actually a dye; it's a paint that behaves like a dye. I put my wig on a wig head and applied the dye directly to the wig, starting at the roots, using a fairly wide, soft paintbrush. I used the same technique to add streaks to my longer wig, but wanted a softer look; if you want it more subtle, dilute the Dye-na-flow with water. Don't be too concerned about the dye causing the wig to clump up; because the dye/paint is already so thin, even if you apply it undiluted, it won't cause the wig to become crunchy like acrylics will. The excess will rinse out. However, I do recommend you nab any big droplets hanging off the ends of the fibers with a paper towel.
The first photo is the first color pass, with purple. I went straight over the wet purple with blue (second photo). Then, I went over both still-wet colors with more purple to darken in some areas and get more of a violet in others.
The wig was allowed to dry completely, then was put in a pot of vinegar to soak overnight. (Vinegar helps set some dyes. In my tests, vinegar-set dye work was much less likely to rub off, so is less likely to potentially stain your costume.) I then washed the wig in a sink with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and dish soap (ghetto Synthrapol substitute, the detergent preferred for post-dye washing of garments).
I can't guarantee that there is no way the dye might not come off on another surface. But the punk wig was styled with hairspray, and the lower wig was in contact with a lot of white fabric; I did not have ANY dye come off at any point.
Because of the design I knew I needed to use two separate wigs and couldn't get the appropriate styles in the same brand. New Look "purple" and Sepia "light purple" are not the same color, especially since punk style wigs use a different type of fiber from straight wigs. I was able to get a faint color shift to get a better match between the two wigs by dyeing it with a custom-mixed Rit dye. I used a stainless steel sink and water that was as hot as I thought was safe for the wig (not too hot to stick your hands in is a good guideline). I rinsed the wig thoroughly and then let it air dry fully before I did the next step. Rit does not do MUCH, but it will very subtly change a wig's color and that can be useful.
Next I used Dye-na-flow silk dye (manufactured by Jacquard; available at Michael's, probably other stores as well). Dye-na-flow isn't actually a dye; it's a paint that behaves like a dye. I put my wig on a wig head and applied the dye directly to the wig, starting at the roots, using a fairly wide, soft paintbrush. I used the same technique to add streaks to my longer wig, but wanted a softer look; if you want it more subtle, dilute the Dye-na-flow with water. Don't be too concerned about the dye causing the wig to clump up; because the dye/paint is already so thin, even if you apply it undiluted, it won't cause the wig to become crunchy like acrylics will. The excess will rinse out. However, I do recommend you nab any big droplets hanging off the ends of the fibers with a paper towel.
The first photo is the first color pass, with purple. I went straight over the wet purple with blue (second photo). Then, I went over both still-wet colors with more purple to darken in some areas and get more of a violet in others.
The wig was allowed to dry completely, then was put in a pot of vinegar to soak overnight. (Vinegar helps set some dyes. In my tests, vinegar-set dye work was much less likely to rub off, so is less likely to potentially stain your costume.) I then washed the wig in a sink with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and dish soap (ghetto Synthrapol substitute, the detergent preferred for post-dye washing of garments).
I can't guarantee that there is no way the dye might not come off on another surface. But the punk wig was styled with hairspray, and the lower wig was in contact with a lot of white fabric; I did not have ANY dye come off at any point.
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